Simon Webbe EXCLUSIVE: Singer brands himself 'privileged' for being in 'diverse' boyband Blue... as he praises Stormzy and Anthony Joshua for being positive role models

Blue's Simon Webbe has said he feels 'privileged' for being selected to be in 'diverse' boyband Blue.

In an interview with MailOnline ahead of hosting the HSBC Investing in Ethnicity Awards, Simon, 40, said: 'For me, coming from a boyband that is diverse, having been asked to do these awards I’m very, very privileged.’

He also touched upon his experience of not being excluded because of his skin colour, adding that in school, he was enlightened in a positive way, during a time of change.

Something to say: Simon Webbe (second from right) has branded himself 'privileged' for being in 'diverse' boyband Blue

He said of school: 'I can speak of one personal experience. My school was nominated to do a national play, and in this play there was a bully.

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'Now, I played the bully really well, but the person there said: "What we're trying to do is change people's minds. Isn't it a bit stereotypical making a black guy the bully?"

He continued: 'Now that was nice to hear from an adult, to me when I was fourteen, fifteen years old. Saying, "why don't you take the main? You're actually good enough to play the lead in this one." And then we switched roles.'

Talking about Stormzy being nominated for the Media Impact Award, he said: 'I've got to take my hat off to [him]. Like it or not, he's raised awareness'

Simon will co-host the Ethnicity Awards, which are set to take place on November 1, at London's Waldorf Hilton

Ahead of the gig, he praised musical artist Stormzy and professional boxer Anthony Joshua for being positive role models.

Talking about Stormzy being nominated for the Media Impact Award, he said: 'I've got to take my hat off to [him].

'Like it all not, he's raised awareness and used one of the biggest stages in music, in Britain, in this diverse culture of ours.

'He's saying: "Look, I'm gonna tell you what we're all thinking. Maybe there is something that Theresa May has overlooked, who knows? Maybe there's something that she's working on that we don't know about as well."'

He said: Anthony inspires me as well. He said: 'He's somebody who's come from adversity. If you look into his story, he took up boxing because he was about to be sent to jail for a crime he committed, but he decided that he wanted to make a change'

'But, he voiced his opinion, he spoke for a lot of people and that's what I'm proud of. The fact that he used his platform very, very well.'

Anthony inspires me as well. He said: 'He's somebody who's come from adversity. If you look into his story, he took up boxing because he was about to be sent to jail for a crime he committed, but he decided that he wanted to make a change.

'All of a sudden, he realised he was good at something, and now look at him, he's the heavyweight champion of the world. Ten years later. He's the perfect example of change in your life, if you're ready to do it for yourself.'

His love: Simon also spoke about married life after tying the knot with singer Ayshen back in August

Simon also spoke about married life after tying the knot with singer Ayshen back in August.

He said: 'Apart from the fact that I feel a lot more responsible for her, not much has changed. You think marriage is the end of the path with a pipe and slippers, but it’s just the beginning. It’s great, it’s exciting.

‘Date night means a lot more. We’re not courting anymore, we’re husband and wife. I enjoy having her in my life, and putting a smile on her face.

‘God willing kids are next for us. I’d have to have all of the Blue boys as Godfathers. They’re all my brothers.’

ETHNICITY AWARDS 2018 NOMINATIONS

MEDIA IMPACT

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